Transforming care through laughter: Olivers make $500K gift to CCRI

A life-changing diagnosis of multiple myeloma led Kent and Candace Oliver to make a $500,000 commitment to help other cancer patients in the state through the Cancer Center and Research Institute at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

The Olivers, known for founding the Laughs 4 Life comedy show in Hattiesburg, are helping support expanded cancer care, research and hope for patients across Mississippi through their gift to It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, the philanthropic drive to raise funds to help build a five-story home for CCRI.  

“We’re so excited about this project,” said Kent Oliver, who is helping lead the campaign as a committee member. “Construction of a cancer center is long overdue, but there is no better time than the present. We’re excited for what this will mean for Mississippians and health care in the state, and Candace and I hope our gift will inspire others to give.” 

The campaign has raised more than $88 million so far. 

Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and CCRI director, called the Olivers’ gift “transformational.” 

“We are deeply grateful to the Olivers for their extraordinary generosity and for the spirit of hope they bring to everything they do,” he said. “Their gift will help transform how we care for cancer patients across Mississippi, supporting innovative research, compassionate care and environments designed to bring comfort, dignity and moments of joy to patients and families. It is a powerful example of how personal journeys can inspire meaningful change for countless others.” 

Eleven years ago, the Olivers received frightening news: Kent, then 34, needed treatment for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that forms in plasma cells.  

“It was difficult to find smiles for me and my family,” he said of that time, “and we felt the need to do something intentional to prioritize laughter.” 

That need for joy became Laughs 4 Life, which has generated nearly $1.4 million in donations to the International Myeloma Foundation, Forrest General Hospital and Children’s of Mississippi, where proceeds from the annual show have funded two Laughs 4 Life Smile Rooms. The Laughs 4 Life rooms inside the state’s only children’s hospital are staffed by child life professionals skilled in helping children cope with the challenges of illness and injury. The state-of-the-art rooms include interactive sensory equipment, games, music and art. This year, CCRI will join the list of Laughs 4 Life beneficiaries. 

Those spaces, calming yet fun, may influence patient spaces at the new cancer center, Candace Oliver said.  

“We look forward to seeing what’s envisioned for cancer care in the state of Mississippi,” she said. “If we can carry even a small piece of that joy into these spaces, it can make a real difference for patients and families during some of their hardest moments.” 

Recognizing the importance of CCRI, the Olivers wanted to maximize their support to expand cancer care and research in Mississippi. To do this, their commitment includes a gift from their estate. Estate gifts can offer a flexible way for supporters to give to causes that are particularly meaningful to them, like CCRI for the Olivers.  

In Mississippi, cancer is the second leading cause of death, accounting for one in five deaths, according to Mississippi State Department of Health statistics. The state has the highest cancer mortality rate in the nation. 

“Access to care is such a critical thing,” Kent said. “We knew we wanted to do something to bring advanced cancer care closer to home for Mississippians.” 

CCRI is seeking National Cancer Institute designation for the center, which would bring patients expanded access to clinical trials, coordinated team-based care and treatment guided by evidence-based standards shaped by the latest cancer research.  

The 10th Laughs 4 Life, set for Aug. 8 at the historic Saenger Theatre, will feature a lineup of well-known comedians. Past shows have included the likes of Nate Bargatze and Leanne Morgan. Each year, the show has been sold out. 

Serving on the campaign committee has been another source of inspiration, Kent said. 

“Our board is inspiring in their own right,” he said. “They are great business leaders as well as empaths who want to make a difference in our state, and they all have the ability to inspire others.” 

The Olivers are parents to Annie, 13, and Charlotte, 10. Through their family’s cancer journey and philanthropic work, “we’ve been very open and honest with the girls,” Kent said. “It’s part of our lives. We don’t want cancer to define us, but it’s important that they’re aware of it—and of the good that can come from helping others.” 

Oliver, director of strategic growth for Raanes & Oliver Capital Advisors in Hattiesburg, is grateful to be a part of the CCRI campaign and for the meaningful impact it will have on the state and its future.  

“I’ve seen firsthand how supporting UMMC can create a lasting impact and transform the health care experience for all Mississippians, which is why we chose to support the CCRI campaign,” he said. “Our gift is statement about the legacy we want to leave and the causes that matter most to us.”